Biotoxin Illness and CIRS Resources
I’m Mikhaila Fuller (previously Peterson).
For decades, my family struggled with multiple chronic, unexplained medical conditions. I was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, severe psychiatric illness (initially diagnosed as major depressive disorder and later re-diagnosed as bipolar II), multiple chemical sensitivities, profound food and environmental allergies, and numerous other debilitating symptoms. You can read a detailed account of my health journey [here].
Both of my parents came close to death as a result of their various illnesses. The impact on our family has been terrible.
After years of searching, I identified what I believe to be the underlying cause of our chronic illness: exposure to biotoxins, particularly those associated with water-damaged buildings (commonly referred to as mold illness or Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome – CIRS).
There’s mounting evidence that mold causes mitochondrial dysfunction, which is why mold illness causes an array of psychiatric and physical symptoms. There are some studies under resources discussing this.
I created this website because peer-reviewed literature on biotoxin-related illness remains significantly underrecognized, despite its prevalence. Current data indicate that approximately 24% of the population possesses genetic haplotypes that render them highly susceptible to developing severe illness following exposure to common indoor biotoxins. Furthermore, an estimated 80% of buildings in North America contain water damage and associated biotoxin contamination (mold, bacteria, and their byproducts) at levels sufficient to trigger illness in susceptible individuals. This suggests that roughly 20% of the population may be experiencing chronic symptoms — including psychiatric, neurological, and systemic manifestations — directly attributable to their indoor environment.
To make matters more complicated, visible mold is not required for biotoxin exposure to occur. Hidden water damage, even in the absence of obvious signs, can produce dangerous levels of airborne toxins.
If you are dealing with unexplained chronic illness, treatment-resistant symptoms, or psychiatric conditions that have not responded to conventional care, I strongly recommend evaluating for Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS), other biotoxin illnesses (such as those associated with Lyme disease and co-infections), testing your indoor environment, and pursuing proper remediation.
The process, while initially overwhelming, follows a clear, evidence-based sequence. The resources on this site are designed to help you navigate it step by step.
Start Here
5. Implement dietary strategies to reduce inflammation and support recovery
6. Continue healing and monitoring progress
Important Context
For many individuals (including the estimated 24% with genetic susceptibility), recognition of biotoxin illness represents a relatively recent medical understanding — comparable in significance to the discoveries linking asbestos and lead to serious disease. The foundational research in this field began in the late 1990s, with formal naming of the syndrome occurring in 2003. Peer-reviewed treatment protocols have been available since that time, yet awareness remains limited primarily due to the recency of these findings.
This site compiles the key information, testing options, remediation guidance, and treatment resources I wish had been available when my family first began this journey.